Boat trailer with closed longitudinal support beams

ABSTRACT

A frame of a boat trailer includes longitudinal support beams that extend from a tongue. The support beams are C-shaped in cross section and have a generally hollow interior. Each one of the support beams includes a front wall with a slot formed therethrough; the slot runs the length of the support beam and provides access to the hollow interior. Electrical wiring and hydraulic brake fluid lines are disposed in the interior of the support beams for protection from the elements, road debris, and other hazards. Each of the support beams is removably coupled to side panel such that the side panel covers the slot formed in the support beam.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention concerns trailers and, more particularly,concerns boat trailers with parallel support beams that contain theelectrical wiring and hydraulic lines out of view within support beams.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventional boat trailers have long been known and are generallyused for, but not limited to, carrying boats, and particularly,powerboats. Typically, a conventional boat trailer includes a framemounted on wheels and adjustable support elements, called bunk boards,on which the hull of a boat rests. The frame of a boat trailer typicallyis made of steel beams of C-shape cross section having a hollowinterior. The surfaces of frames made from regular, or non-galvanized,steel tubes usually are painted so as to make them more aesthetic and toprotect them from rusting.

[0003] Conventional boat trailers also include brake-light/turn-signalassemblies that are in electrical communication with a towing vehiclevia electrical wiring. On a conventional boat trailer, the electricalwiring can be disposed on the interior surface of the C-shaped frame torun from the towing vehicle along the length of the trailer to the siderunning lights and to the tail lights. The electrical wiring is disposedon the interior surface of the C-shaped support beams to protect thewiring from damage from outside impact, abrasion, and contact from otherobjects, such as the feet of the boat operator when climbing on thetrailer. The open slot of the C-shape support beam usually faces thelongitudinal centerline of the trailer for appearance purposes so thatthe slot and the wires within the support beam usually are not visibleto the casual observer.

[0004] Typically, the trailers for the larger boats and other heavyloads also include hydraulic brake fluid lines that communicate brakefluid from a brake actuator to the hydraulic brakes of the trailer. Thehydraulic brake fluid lines also are disposed in the C-shape beam, andthe extend from the hydraulic brakes at the wheels to a brake actuatorat the front of the trailer, which can be on the tongue of the traileror on the towing vehicle. As with the electrical wiring, the hydraulicbrake fluid lines are disposed on the inside surface of the frame forreasons of both cost, wear and convenience in manufacture and repair.

[0005] A problem with a conventional boat trailer is that the electricalwiring and the hydraulic brake fluid lines are exposed to, among otherthings, the elements, rainwater, water from the lake or other body ofwater in which the boat is launched, sunlight, water splashed from theroad, and road debris. It is desirable that the electrical wiring andthe hydraulic brake fluid lines be protected. Also, it is desirable thatthe open slot of the support beams face outwardly from the longitudinalcenterline of the trailer for the convenience of installation,maintenance and repair of the wires, brake fluid lines, etc.

[0006] Sometimes the boat manufacturer desires to have the color oftrailer for the boat match or blend with the color of the boat. Thisrequires the boat manufacturer or the trailer manufacturer to order thetrailers ahead of time with the desired colors, or the manufacturer hasan additional problem of matching his inventory of painted trailers withspecific colors ordered by customers.

[0007] Thus, a heretofore, unaddressed need exists in the industry toaddress the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The disadvantages of the prior art have been overcome by thepresent invention which basically includes a boat trailer having a frameincluding a pair of support beams that extend longitudinally,substantially parallel to each other on opposite sides of a longitudinalcenter-line of the boat. Each one of the support beams is generallyC-shaped in cross section. The C-shape defines a generally open interiorwith a slot extending from the exterior of the support beam to theinterior along the length of the support beam. The slot is defined by anupper front wall and a lower front wall that extend towards the other.Each one of the support beams is aligned such that the slot to thegenerally hollow interior faces away from the longitudinal centerline ofthe trailer.

[0009] The side panels are removably supported by the support beams inpositions that cover and close the slots of the support beams. In oneembodiment, the side panels are made from a resilient material such asplastic and are manufactured by an extrusion process. The side panelsextend along the lengths of the support beams and include a front faceand a rear face. The width of the front face is normally such that itsubstantially covers the upper front wall and the lower front wall ofthe slotted surface of the support beams, thereby closing the slot.

[0010] The side panels can be supported by various mounting means on thesupport beams to cover the slots. In one embodiment the rear face of aside panel includes a pair of resilient coupling flanges that extendoutward and vertically, one pointed upwardly and one pointed downwardlyfor engaging the edges if the support beam. The rear face and thecoupling flanges can define a pair of grooves with the width of eachgroove being less than the width of the upper front wall or the lowerfront wall.

[0011] A side panel can be mounted to one of the support beams byaligning one end of the side panel with the rear of the support beamsuch that the rear face of the side panel is aligned with the exteriorsurface of the support beam and the grooves of the side panel areapproximately aligned with the interior surface of the upper front walland the lower front wall. The side panel is then pushed forward. Thethickness of the upper front wall and the lower front wall cause thecoupling flanges to be bent slightly away from the rear face, which isabutting the exterior surface of the upper and lower front walls. Thepressure created by bending the coupling flanges away from the rear faceholds the side panel in place.

[0012] During the manufacture of the boat trailer, electrical wiring isrun along the interior of the support beams from the tongue to brakelight assemblies that are attached to the rear end of the support beams,and hydraulic brake fluid lines are run from the tongue along a portionof the interior of the support beams to hydraulic brakes. When the sidepanels are attached to the support beams, the side panels and the pairof support beams provide a pair of protective housings, which shield theelectrical wiring and the hydraulic brake fluid lines from, among otherthings, the elements and from debris. In the course of routinemaintenance, the side panels are readily removed from the support panelsby sliding the side panels rearward, thereby exposing the hydraulicbrake fluid lines and the electrical wiring.

[0013] In one embodiment, the side panels come in a variety of colors,which means that the boat manufacturer need not be concerned about thecolor of the boat trailers as they come off the assembly line. The boattrailer manufacturer need only apply side panels of appropriate color toa boat trailer before shipping the boat trailer to the boatmanufacturer.

[0014] Similarly, a boat manufacture could order multiple boat trailersand multiple sets of side panels in various colors. In that case, theboat manufacturer could simply load a boat onto one of the boat trailersas the boat comes off the assembly line, and then matches the sidepanels for the trailer to the boat. Matching the color of the sidepanels to the boat after the boat has been loaded is simpler havingmultiple boat trailers sequentially aligned in a particular order sothat they can receive boats of different colors as they come off of theassembly line.

[0015] In one embodiment, the boat trailer manufacturer has differenttypes of side panels for different boat manufactures. Thus, the boattrailer can be customized for a particular boat trailer manufacturersuch that the side panel includes the boat manufacturer's logo or otherdesired customization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The preferred embodiments of the invention can be betterunderstood with reference to the following drawings. The components inthe drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placedupon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention.Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0017]FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a boat trailer.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a side panel and a supportbeam of the boat trailer.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a side panel and a supportbeam of the boat trailer.

[0020]FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of a side panel and a supportbeam of the boat trailer.

[0021]FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of a side panel and a supportbeam of the boat trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The preferred embodiments of the invention now will be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0023] A partially exploded boat trailer 10, which defines alongitudinal centerline shown as dashed line 8, is shown in FIG. 1. Theboat trailer 10 includes a carriage 12 having a left bunk board 14 and aright bunk board 16. Extending from the carriage 12 is a tongue 18having a hitch mount 20 for coupling to a hitch ball (not shown).

[0024] The carriage 12 is generally symmetric about the centerline 8 andincludes a frame 22 mounted to a left wheel 24 and a right wheel 26. Thewheels 24 and 26 are rotatably mounted to the carriage 12 via wheelmounts (not shown). Typically, the wheel mounts include hydraulic brakes(not shown) that are in hydraulic communication with a brake actuator(not shown).

[0025] The frame 22 includes a pair of elongated support beams; leftsupport beam 28 and right support beam 30. The left support beam 28defines a curved front end 32 and a rear end 34; the right support beam30 defines a curved front end 36 and a rear end 38. The front ends 32and 36 are rigidly attached to the tongue 18 and are curved such thattogether they define the bow shape of a boat. The support beams 28 and30 extend rearwardly from their front ends such that the rear ends 34and 38 are aligned approximately parallel to and approximatelyequidistant from the centerline 8. The frame 22 also includescross-members 40, 42, 44, and 46, each of which are rigidly attached tothe support beams 28 and 30. The cross-members 40, 42, 44, and 46provide lateral support for the frame 22.

[0026] Coupled to the bunk board 14 is a pair of braces (not shown), afront brace and a rear brace, that extend down from the bunk board 14.The front brace (not shown) extends downward from the front portion ofthe bunk board 14 and removably couples to the cross member 42. The rearbrace (not shown) extends downward from the rear portion of the bunkboard 14 and removably couples to the cross member 46. Each one of thebraces includes a plurality of vertically aligned holes for alignmentwith mounting holes (not shown) formed in the cross members 42 and 46.The distance between the bunk board 14 and the frame 22 is adjustable.The front brace is coupled to the cross member 42 by aligning one of theholes in the brace with the mounting hole in the cross member 42 andinserting a bolt (not shown) through the aligned holes. The height ofthe front portion of the bunk board 14 can be raised or lowered bysimply aligning a different hole in the front brace with the mountinghole in cross member 42. The height of the rear portion of the bunkboard 14 can raised or lowered in a similar fashion as the front. Theright bunk board 16 is essentially identical to the left bunk board 14and is also mounted to the frame 22 by adjustable braces (not shown).

[0027] The trailer 10 also includes left and rightbrake-light/turn-signal assemblies 48 and 50, respectively. Thebrake-light/turn-signal assemblies 48 and 50 are adapted to be removablymounted to the rear ends 34 and 38, respectively. Thebrake-light/turn-signal assemblies are in electrical communication withthe brake actuator (not shown) via electrical wiring. When the brakeactuator actuates the brakes, electrical current is supplied to thebrake-light/turn-signal assemblies so that brake lights are actuated.Generally, the boat trailer 10 is in electrical communication with atowing vehicle (not shown), which provides the electrical current forthe brake lights. In addition, the towing vehicle also supplieselectrical current to the brake-light/turn-signal assemblies 48 and 50for turn-signal lights that are included in the brake-light/turn-signalassemblies.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, which illustrates a cross sectional view ofthe right support beam 30 as viewed along dashed line 6 of FIG. 1, thesupport beams 28 and 30 are approximately C-shaped in cross sectionhaving a generally hollow interior 52 defined by an interior wall 54.Each one of the support beams has an exterior wall 56 having alongitudinal slot 58 that extends along the length of the support beam.The C-shape of the support beams is defined by a generally solid rearwall 60, a top wall 62 extending outward from the rear wall 60, a bottomwall 64 extending outward from the rear wall 60, and a front wall 66having the slot 58 formed therein. The front wall 66 is defined by anupper front wall portion 68 that extends downward from the top wall 62and a lower front wall portion 70 that extends upward from the bottomwall 64. The upper and lower front wall portions 68 and 70,respectively, define the slot 58. The support beams 28 and 30 arealigned such that the front wall 66 of each support beam 28 and 30 facesoutward from the centerline 8.

[0029] The boat trailer 10 also includes a left and a right side panel,72 and 74, respectively. A cross sectional view of the side panel 74 isshown in FIG. 2. Disposed in the interior 52 of support beam 30 iselectrical wiring 76 for the brake-light/turn-signal assembly 50 and ahydraulic brake fluid line 78 for the right side brake (not shown). Thesupport beam 28 also carries electrical wiring and a hydraulic brakefluid line in its hollow interior. Together a combination of a sidepanel and a support beam define a housing for the electrical wiring andhydraulic brake fluid line carried therein. With the side panel inoperational position, the slot 58 is covered by the side panel, andconsequently, the electrical wiring and hydraulic brake fluid line areprotected from the elements, road debris, and from other hazards.

[0030] During the manufacturing process of the trailer 10, theelectrical wiring and hydraulic brake fluid lines are disposed on theinterior walls 54 of the support beams 28 and 30 prior to the sidepanels 72 and 74 being attached to the support beams. The slot 58 formedin each of the support beams provides easy access to the interior 52 ofthe support beams, which allows the manufacturer to efficiently andcheaply place the electrical wiring and hydraulic brake fluid linestherein.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, the side panels are adapted toremovably couple to the support beams. FIG. 1 shows the side panel 74partially withdrawn from the support beam 28. By removing the sidepanels from the support beams, easy access to the electrical wiring andhydraulic brake fluid lines is obtained. Thus, the electrical wiring andhydraulic brake fluid lines can be easily accessed for routinemaintenance or replacement.

[0032] In one preferred embodiment, the side panels are adapted toslideably mate with the support beams 28 and 30. Referring to FIG. 2, inone embodiment the side panel 74 includes a front face 80 and a rearface 82. The front face 80 faces outward from the centerline 8, andpreferably, substantially covers the upper front wall 68 and lower frontwall 70. In one preferred embodiment, a portion of the front face 80 iscovered with a reflective safety coating 84. The front face 80 can alsohave logos or other identifying marks or markings thereon. Thelogos/markings can be formed onto the front face 80 or adhered thereto.

[0033] The rear face 82 abuts the upper front wall 68 and lower frontwall 70 and is held thereon by pressure. A pair of coupling flanges 86and 88 extend out and vertically from the approximate center of the rearface 82. The upper coupling flange 86 and rear face 82 define a slot 90.The lower coupling flange 88 and rear face 82 define a similar slot 92.The upper and lower coupling flanges 86 and 88 are made from a resilientmaterial and, in relaxed position, the width of the slots 90 and 92 areless than the widths of the upper front wall 68 and lower front wall 70,respectively. In operational position, the coupling flanges are bentaway from the rear face 82 by the thickness of the upper front wall 68and lower front wall 70.

[0034] The side panel 74 is mated to the support beam 30 by aligning theslots 90 and 92 with the upper front wall 68 and the lower front wall70, respectively, at the rear end 38, and pushing the side panelforward. Typically, the side panel 74 is a single side panel thatextends from the rear end 38 to the front end 36 and is made from amaterial that will bend to conform to the curvature of the support beam30. However, in an alternative embodiment, a side panel is made up ofmultiple segments, and together, the multiple segments extend along thelength of the support beam 30. After the side panel 74 is in properposition, the brake-light/turn-signal assembly 50 is attached to thesupport beam 30. The brake-light/turn-signal assembly 50 covers thehollow interior 52 and overlaps the side panel, thereby preventing theside panel 74 from sliding rearward.

[0035]FIGS. 3-5 illustrate alternative embodiments for attaching a sidepanel to a support beam. Referring to FIG. 3, the upper and lower frontwalls 68 and 70 define a pair of vertically aligned grooves 94 and 96,respectively. Each groove extends along the length of the support beam.A side panel 98 extends between the grooves 94 and 96 along the lengthof the support beam, and the grooves 94 and 96 hold the side panel 98 invertical alignment. The side panel 98 is adapted to fit within thegrooves so that it can be pushed in to fill the slot 58 or pulledoutward to expose the hollow interior 52.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the interlocking relationshipbetween the side panel 98 and the upper and lower front walls 68 and 70,respectively, is reversed. The side panel 98 defines a pair of opposedgrooves that extend along the length of the side panel, and the groovesare adapted to engage the upper and lower front walls 68 and 70 suchthat the side panel can be slid along the length of the support beam 30to cover the slot 58.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 4A, in another alternative embodiment, theupper front wall 68 and lower front wall 70 define multiple upper tabs100 and lower tabs 102, which are spaced along the length of the supportbeam. Each tab is formed by vertically cutting through the upper orlower front wall and bending the material between adjacent vertical cutsoutward. The upper tabs 100 formed from the upper front wall 68 areangled outward and downward, and the lower tabs 102 formed from thelower front wall 70 are angled upward and outward. A side panel 104extends along the front wall 66 between the upper and lower tabs 100 and102. The side panel 104 is held in vertical alignment by the tabs suchthat the side panel 104 abuts the front wall 66.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 4B, in yet another alternative embodiment, theupper tabs 100 and lower tabs 102 are bent inward, instead of outward.In this embodiment, the side panel 104 rests between the tabs and abutsthe interior wall 54.

[0039]FIGS. 2-4 are intended to be non-limiting examples for exemplaryways to removably couple the side panel to a support beam. Anotherexample includes, but is not limited to, having holes in the front wallsand matching holes in the side panels and attaching the side panel tothe support beam via fasteners. Those skilled in the art will recognizeother methods, which are intended to be within the scope of theinvention, for attaching the side panel to a support beam.

[0040] Generally, the side panels are made from a resilient pliablematerial such as, but not limited to, plastic, or aluminum, or othermaterial known to those skilled in the art. Generally, the side panelsare made from colored materials or materials that can be painted. In onepreferred embodiment, the side panels are made by an extrusion process.

[0041] In one preferred embodiment, a trailer manufacturer provides aboat manufacturer with multiple partially assembled boat trailers andmultiple sets of side panels. Except for coupling side panels with thetrailers and attaching the brake-light/turn-signal assemblies the boattrailers are delivered completely assembled. As the boats come off ofthe boat manufacturer's assembly line, each boat is placed on a trailer,then an appropriate set of side panels is mated with the boat trailer,and then the brake-light/turn-signal assemblies are attached. Thismethod of manufacture enables the boat manufacture to efficiently matchthe color of the trailer to the color of the boat carried thereon.Instead of having to have a specific color of boat trailer for aspecific color of boat, the manufacture can easily apply custom sidepanels or matching side panels after the boat is loaded onto thetrailer.

[0042] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments ofthe present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, aremerely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for aclear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without departing from the spirit and principles of theinvention. All such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded herein within the scope of this disclosure and the presentinvention and protected by the following claims.

1-6. (Cancelled).
 7. A trailer for hauling boats, the trailercomprising: a frame having a pair of opposed support beams extendingabout a centerline, each support beam is generally C-shaped in crosssection and defines a generally hollow interior, and each support beamhaving a front end and a rear end and a pair of opposed front walls thatdefine a slot extending between the front end and the rear end, the slotproviding an opening to the generally hollow interior of the supportbeam and facing outward from the centerline; a pair of opposed lightassemblies, each one of the light assemblies removably mounted to therear end of one of the support beams such that the light assemblysubstantially covers the rear end; a first set of wires extending alongthe hollow interior of one of the support beams and in communicationwith the light assembly mounted thereto, and a second set of wiresextending along the hollow interior of the other support beam and incommunication with the light assembly mounted thereto; a pair of sidepanels for mounting to the front walls of the pair of opposed supportbeams, wherein one side panel substantially covers the slot of one ofthe support beams and the other side panel substantially covers the slotof the other support beam; means for slidably mounting the pair sidepanels to the pair of opposed support beams, whereby each support beamhaving one of the side panels mounted thereto defines a housing forprotecting the wires therein.
 8. The trailer of claim 7 wherein themeans for slidably mounting the pair of side panels to the pair ofopposed support beams comprises: at least one of the side panels has arear face having opposed coupling flanges extending therefrom, saidopposed coupling flanges and rear face defining slots configured toslidably engage the opposed front walls of one of support beams so thatthe side panel can be moved along the length of one of the support beamsto open and close the interior space of one of the support beams.
 9. Thetrailer of claim 7, wherein at least one panel includes opposed edges,and the opposed edges of the side panel and the opposed front walls ofone of the support beams includes interengaging shapes for slidablymating together.
 10. The trailer of claim 7, wherein the means forslidably mounting the pair of side panels to the pair of opposed supportbeams comprises: at least one of the opposed support beam having aplurality of opposed tabs extending from the opposed front walls of thesupport beam, at least one of the side panels adapted to slide betweenthe opposed tabs so that the side panel can be moved along the length ofthe support beam to open and close the interior space of the supportbeam.
 11. The trailer of claim 7, wherein at least one of the lightassemblies at least partially covers an end of one of the side panelssuch that the side panel cannot be slid off of the support beam to whichit is mated while the light assembly is mounted to the support beam. 12.An improved trailer for hauling boats and the like, comprising: anelongated framework defining a longitudinal centerline, a front portionfor connection to a towing vehicle and a rear portion for trailingbehind the towing vehicle, wheels mounted to said framework on oppositesides of said centerline at said trailing portion for supporting saidframework on a road surface, said framework including a pair ofelongated support beams extending approximately parallel to each otherand straddling said longitudinal centerline for supporting a load placedon said trailer, the improvement therein comprising: at least one ofsaid elongated support beams formed in a C-shape in cross sectiondefining an interior space and including opposed front walls extendingtoward each other and said opposed front walls defining a slottherebetween, said slot of said elongated support beam facing away fromsaid centerline, electrical conductor wires positioned in and extendingalong said interior space of said support beam, a side panel formounting to said opposed front walls of said elongated support beam thatcloses said slot, and means interengaging between said side panel andsaid opposed front walls for slidably mounting said side panel to saidopposed front walls of said elongated support beams such that the sidepanel is slidable along the support beam, whereby said elongated supportbeam having said side panel mounted thereto define a housing for hidingwires extending along the interior space of the elongated support beamfrom view by the panel.
 13. An improved trailer for hauling boats andthe like, comprising: an elongated framework defining a longitudinalcenterline, a front portion for connection to a towing vehicle and arear portion for trailing behind the towing vehicle, wheels mounted tosaid framework on opposite sides of said centerline at said trailingportion for supporting said framework on a road surface, said frameworkincluding a pair of elongated support beams extending approximatelyparallel to each other and straddling said longitudinal centerline forsupporting a load placed on said trailer, the improvement thereincomprising: at least one of said elongated support beams formed in aC-shape in cross section defining an interior space and includingopposed front walls extending toward each other and said opposed frontwalls defining a slot therebetween, said slot of said elongated supportbeam facing away from said centerline, a side panel for mounting to saidopposed front walls of said elongated support beam that closes saidslot, said side panel having a rear face having opposed coupling flangesextending therefrom, said opposed coupling flanges and rear facedefining slots configured to slidably engage said opposed front walls ofsaid elongated support beam so that said side panel can be moved alongthe length of said elongated support beam to open and close the interiorspace of said elongated support beam, whereby said elongated supportbeam having said side panel mounted thereto define a housing for hidingwires extending along the interior space of the elongated support beamfrom view by the panel.
 14. The trailer of claim 12, wherein saidsupport beam is curved and said side panel is flexible and resilient sothat said side panel can follow the curvature of said elongated supportbeam.
 15. The trailer of claim 12, wherein said side panel has opposedfront and rear faces and said front face has light reflective materialthereon.
 16. The trailer of claim 12, wherein said side panel isflexible and can be bent to change its shape when being mounted to anelongated support beam.
 17. The trailer of claim 12, wherein said meansfor slidably mounting said side panel to said opposed front walls ofsaid elongated support beam comprises said side panel including opposededges, and said opposed edges of said panel and said opposed front wallsof said elongated support beam include interengaging shapes for slidablymating together.
 18. The trailer of claim 12, wherein said side panel isselected from a supply of side panels of different colors so that saidside panel can match the color of the load to be carried by saidtrailer.
 19. The trailer of claim 12, wherein said side panel hasopposed front and rear faces, and said front face has identifying marksthereon.
 20. The trailer of claim 12, wherein said means for slidablymounting said panel to said opposed front walls of said elongatedsupport beam comprises: said opposed front walls having a plurality ofopposed tabs extending therefrom, said side panel adapted to slidebetween the opposed tabs so that said side panel can be moved along thelength of said elongated support beam to open and close the interiorspace of said elongated support beam.
 21. A trailer for hauling boatsand the like behind a towing vehicle, comprising: an elongated frameworkdefining a longitudinal centerline, a front portion for connection tothe towing vehicle and a rear portion for trailing behind the towingvehicle, wheels mounted to said framework on opposite sides of saidcenterline at said rear portion of said framework for supporting saidframework on a road surface, said framework including a pair ofelongated support beams extending approximately parallel to each otherand straddling the centerline, the improvement therein comprising: atleast one of said elongated support beams formed in a C-shaped in crosssection defining an interior space and including opposed front wallsextending toward each other, said opposed front walls of said elongatedsupport beam defining a slot there between with said slot facing awayfrom said longitudinal centerline, electrical conductor wires positionedin said interior space, and a panel slidably mounted to said supportbeam and closing said slot, such that said electrical conductor wiresare hidden from view. 22-24. (Cancelled).
 25. The trailer of claim 21,and further including bunk boards supported by said pair of supportbeams.
 26. (Cancelled)